# Riyadh Air to resume from Al Qassim on Oct 25 via 4.5-hour coach

_Oct 24 13:05_

Tags: route network, new route

Type: Incident

## Summary

Riyadh Air plans to restart passenger flights from Al Qassim Airport on October 25, 2026 after Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport caused at least 15 fatalities and over 300 injuries. Passenger service at RUH has not resumed. Only limited cargo operations with prior permission have restarted.

The airline halted flying and moved aircraft out of Riyadh after reports that one of its new Dreamliners was damaged. A Saudia A320 was destroyed in the attacks. Passengers starting in Riyadh will check in at the InterContinental Hotel Durrat Al Riyadh, where the desk is open from 15 minutes to two hours before a complimentary coach departs. The bus ride takes 4.5 hours and is scheduled to reach Al Qassim Airport 30 minutes before the baggage cutoff. The airport is around 250 miles from Riyadh. Initial service includes London Heathrow and Jeddah.

Anyone holding a Riyadh Air ticket that starts in Riyadh now faces a much longer travel day until passenger flights return to RUH. Al Qassim could also be a target. Ticket holders should confirm the hotel check-in window and build a full extra day around the 4.5-hour transfer to Al Qassim.

## Key facts

- **Starts**: Oct 25, 2026
- **Numbers**:
  - 15 fatalities: deaths reported from attacks on Riyadh airport
  - 300 injuries: injuries reported from attacks on Riyadh airport
  - 250 miles: distance from Riyadh to Al Qassim Airport
  - 400 kilometers: distance from Riyadh to Al Qassim Airport
  - 4.5 hours: duration of the complimentary coach to Al Qassim Airport
  - 15 minutes: earliest hotel check-in relative to bus departure
  - 30 minutes: bus arrival before flight baggage cutoff
- **Where**: King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Al Qassim Airport (ELQ), Riyadh, InterContinental Hotel Durrat Al Riyadh, Cairo (CAI), Dhaka (DAC), Islamabad (ISB), Jeddah (JED), London Heathrow (LHR), Lahore (LHE)
- **Who qualifies**: Riyadh Air passengers starting their journey in Riyadh
- **Links**:
  - Announcement: [Riyadh Air travel update](https://www.riyadhair.com/en/travel-update)
- **Takeaway**: If you have Riyadh Air flights, confirm whether you must use the hotel check-in and 4.5-hour coach to Al Qassim and build in a full extra day for the transfer.

## Sources cited

- [One Mile at a Time](https://onemileatatime.com/news/riyadh-air-moves-flights-al-qassim-airport) — Riyadh Air Moves Flights To Al Qassim Airport, A 4.5-Hour Bus Ride From Riyadh

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